June 19, 2020
Dear Class of 2020 and Families,
We are just one week away from the Class of 2020 Outdoor Graduation Ceremony! As we continue to plan the event, I have to tell you that I think this is going to be a really great ceremony - for a really great class!
Like everything these days, there are a number of new rules and guidelines for us to be aware of and follow - while none of us are crazy about all of them, we are determined NOT to let them get in the way of this awesome event! So, as not to put health and safety at risk, and out of respect for our graduates and their ceremony, we are going to make sure we follow all state guidelines. I respectfully request that you and your family do the same.
Included below is a lot of important information and details for you to be aware of. Please, as you read through the info, if you have any questions,please call the school 518-638-8243 ext 301 or email [email protected] and we will make sure you get your questions answered.
Important Information:
Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal
Wednesday, June 24th at 2:00 PM (details are on the website, emailed to graduates, and posted on the Class of 2020 Google Classroom.
Graduation Ceremony Time and Date:
Friday, June 26th at 6:30 (Rain date: Saturday, June 27th at 6:30).
Ticket and Parking Pass Info:
Each graduate will receive three (3) commemorative graduation tickets for immediate family to attend “in-person”.
Each graduate will also receive one (1) parking pass for a standard-sized vehicle for additional guests to join the ceremony in designated parking spots behind our family seating (those with a parking pass tickets must remain in their vehicle, with the vehicle turned off, for the duration of the ceremony).
The number on your tickets and parking pass coordinates with a designated section for in-person family seating and extended family parking.
Tickets and Parking Pass must be presented upon entering the ceremony.
** AT GRADUATION REHEARSAL ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24th, EACH GRADUATE WILL RECEIVE A PACKET THAT CONTAINS TICKETS, PARKING PASS, GRADUATION PROGRAMS, AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
Additional Viewing of Ceremony:
The ceremony will be streamed live on the the District’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ArgyleCSDScots/
Photographs
The district has hired a professional photographer for the ceremony. The district will be providing each graduate with two (2) 5x7 pictures. Additional photographs will be available for purchase on the photographer’s website soon after the ceremony (details will be posted on our school website and included in the graduation program).
Arrival Times and Parking
To minimize the number of cars on campus, graduates are to ride with families. Parking for immediate family (with tickets) will be available in the Main Parking lot of the school.
Extended families using the parking pass will be directed to their assigned parking area by the Washington County Sheriff Department.
Arrival Times and Parking (con’t)
To encourage distancing, we will have staggered arrival/entry time (based on your assigned ticket/parking pass number):
Ticket/Pass Number Arrival
#1-6 5:30 PM
#7-13 5:40 PM
#14-19 5:50 PM
#20-25 6:00 PM
#26-31 6:10 PM
#32-38 6:20 PM
*Your ticket/parking pass is coordinated with the side of the stage your graduate is sitting on*
*Please wait in your cars until your assigned entry time. We will not start the ceremony until everyone is seated and extended family’s cars are parked - you have my word on that! :)
Other Important Details:
- Gathering before or after the graduation ceremony is prohibited
- Restrooms will not be available for public use (we anticipate the ceremony will last roughly one hour)
- Masks will be available upon arrival
- Graduates will receive a really cool mask upon arrival
- A hand sanitizer station will be available upon entering ceremony
- We will be sending out any additional details, updates, and information on our website, through emails, and by our automated calling system.
New York State Guidance for Graduation Celebrations (updated June 14, 2020)
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/06/doh_covid19_updatedgraduationguidance_061420.pdf
Starting June 26, 2020, Outdoor In-Person Ceremonies May Occur With The Following Restrictions:
- Ceremony must take place outdoors, and all attendees must remain outdoors at all times.
- As of June 7, 2020, in-person gatherings for the purposes of a graduation ceremony are restricted to a maximum of 150 individuals (including all students, guests , teachers, administrators, and staff).
New York State Guidance for Graduation Celebrations (con’t)
- All attendees at the gathering are required to remain six feet apart from other attendees at all times, excluding immediate family members or household members.
- All attendees at the gathering must wear a mask or face covering at all times, if they are over age two and able to medically tolerate a covering.
- Individual students may temporarily remove their masks or face coverings while crossing the award area or having their individual photo taken.
- There must not be person-to-person contact during the celebration. Individuals may not shake hands.
- Diplomas, or any other items, can only be handed from one designated individual (e.g. superintendent, principal) to students if both individuals are wearing a face covering and either using gloves or applying hand sanitizer between touching of objects. Otherwise, diplomas, or any other items, should be pre-arranged for students to retrieve them without direct interaction with other individuals.
- Sharing or exchanging materials of any kind poses an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19 and should be prohibited (e.g., throwing graduation caps, giving gifts).
- Students may walk across a stage or area and pose for a picture individually. However single-direction flow should be marked to cross the graduation stage or take a photo, and the standing locations of graduates waiting to cross the graduation stage or take a photo must be clearly marked to ensure all individuals remain at least six feet apart at all times.
- Strongly encourage limiting the length of ceremonies to shorten the time the individuals are exposed to each other.
- Ensure that individuals do not share microphones or other equipment, unless it is appropriately cleaned and disinfected between use.
- Staff must be assigned to monitor entrances and egresses to prevent congregation. Consider staggering arrival times to ease crowds at access points.
Any individual attending the event, including graduates, their immediate household, or school personnel, who (1) displays symptoms consistent with COVID-19, (2) has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, or (3) within the last 14 days was a close or proximate contact of an individual who had symptoms of COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19, is not permitted to attend the ceremony.
Please reach out with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you all next week!
Michael Healey
Superintendent
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